MARKETING TIPS FOR
NEW INVESTIGATIVE AGENCIES
By Doug Runyon

When opening my business I was faced with the task of marketing and advertising my services. I found the following to be very useful methods of doing just that (keep in mind this is just my opinion):

-YELLOW PAGE ADVERTISING
(one of the most important expenditures you'll have. Take this VERY seriously.)

- NEWS RELEASES
(Send them to all of the local media outlets - they may not report your business's opening, but when a situation arises where they might need some comments from an investigator, you might get the call! Whenever you win an award, develop some new service, or complete some form of professional training, send them a press release.)

- BROCHURES AND BUSINESS CARDS
(Make sure you have a brochure that portrays the image you want. A typewritten white sheet of paper just doesn't get noticed as well as a colorful brochure. There are several companies that provide blank brochure paper that already has graphics and artwork on it. All you do is fill in the blank spaces with your text. You can print them on your laser printer. You can usually get
business cards, stationary, and envelopes to match, if you desire. The
business card kits are useful in more ways than you might imagine.-How
many times have you wanted a "fake" business card for that
undercover assignment. This way you can print just one business card
with whatever text and graphics you wish. No need to have 500 or 1000
printed and deal with the local printer.)

- CIVIC GROUPS
(make yourself available to local groups to speak at their meetings. Groups like the Lions Club, Rotary, Toastmasters, etc. . . .
are full of business men and women and attorneys that could use your
services. A lot of these groups are begging for speakers to come to
their monthly luncheons or breakfasts. I wouldn't stand up there and
simply talk about yourself the whole time, instead I would discuss the
merits of how the PI industry can help them in their business and
legal ventures. The fact that YOU are giving the speech will
advertise your business. Take plenty of brochures and business cards.)

- CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
(JOIN! It is one of the best methods of networking to other businesses. They usually have publications that you can advertise in and frequently have mixers and business fairs where you can do some GREAT networking.)

I hope this helps in some way. Not all of these will work as well for you
in your area, but they are things that have worked for me. Good luck!

BUSINESS RESOURCE GROUP
Employee Screening and Security Consulting - Pre-Employment Background Investigations - Technical Surveillance CounterMeasures-Nationwide Public Record Information Brokering.


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